Medical slings

ABSTRACT

A medical sling is made from material that is in a shape suitable for use in a medical application. One or more cuts are disposed in the material. The width of the sling remains substantially constant when the sling is exposed to substantially longitudinal tensioning force in connection with its implantation inside the body of a patient. The cuts on the sling provide open areas to permit tissue ingrowth and crosslinking when the sling is implanted inside the body of the patient.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This invention generally relates to medical slings, methods of making such slings, kits including such slings, and methods of treating a damaged portion of a patient's body using such slings.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

[0002] Urinary incontinence is a disorder that generally affects people of all ages. The inability to control urination can impact a patient both physiologically and psychologically. Urinary incontinence can interfere with a patient's daily activity and impair quality of life. Stress urinary incontinence is one type of urinary incontinence. Actions including straining, coughing, and heavy lifting can cause those with stress urinary incontinence to void urine involuntarily.

[0003] Various physiological conditions cause urinary incontinence in women. Stress urinary incontinence generally is caused by two conditions that occur independently or in combination, intrinsic sphincter deficiency and hypermobility. Intrinsic sphincter deficiency (ISD) is a condition where the urethral sphincter fails to coapt properly. When functioning properly, the urethral sphincter muscles relax to enable the patient to void, and the sphincter muscles are otherwise constricted to retain urine. ISD may cause urine to leak out of the urethra during stressful actions. Hypermobility is a condition where the pelvic floor is weakened or damaged causing the bladder neck and proximal urethra to rotate and descend in response to increases in intraabdominal pressure. When intraabdominal pressure increases (due, for example, to strain resulting from coughing), the hypermobility condition may cause urine leakage. Some women suffer from a combination of ISD and hypermobility.

[0004] The methods for treating stress urinary incontinence include placing a sling to either compress the urethral sphincter or placing a sling to support, elevate or provide a “back stop” to the bladder neck and proximal urethra. Providing support to the bladder neck and proximal urethra maintains the urethra in the normal anatomical position and elevation places the urethra above the normal anatomical position. The “back stop” prevents descent according to the hammock theory such that the back stop prevents the bladder neck from descending upon application of strain.

[0005] Generally, slings are employed to support anatomical structures. Slings may be made from one or more materials derived from mammalian tissue(s), synthetic material(s), or from a combination of mammalian tissue(s) and synthetic material(s).

[0006] After implantation in a patient, slings made from mammalian tissues typically require a six to twelve month period to be absorbed by the patient's body, after which the implanted mammalian tissue is not recognizable from the patient's surrounding tissue. Mammalian tissue slings include tissue harvested from the patient or a donor. In some instances, the mammalian tissue may be human cadaveric tissue.

[0007] The success of mammalian tissue sling surgery is limited when the tissue sling shifts after surgery from the implantation site causing the sling to become incorporated by patient tissue in an improper position. Improper sling placement can also result when the sling comprised of mammalian tissue shrinks after placement inside the patient. Excess tension, shifting, and shrinkage may occur independently or in combination to cause failed sling retention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention relates to slings disposed with cuts, methods of making such slings, medical kits including such slings, and methods of treating a damaged portion of a patient's body using such slings. Various known surgical procedures employ slings to support anatomical structures. Exemplary surgical applications include the treatment of urinary incontinence, the repair of herniation, and orthopedics generally.

[0009] In accordance with the invention, cuts are disposed through the sling material to provide open areas in the sling which enable rapid tissue ingrowth into the sling material while maintaining a high tensile strength. The cuts can be slits, holes, and apertures. The sling with the cuts according to the invention maintains a substantially constant width during and after implantation in a patient's body. The risk of pressure necrosis or erosion of the damaged portion of the patient's body caused by uneven sling pressure is reduced because the sling width remains substantially constant even when the sling is stretched longitudinally during the implantation procedure.

[0010] The benefits of such a sling, which can comprise synthetic material, mammalian tissue, or a combination of synthetic and mammalian tissue material with cuts disposed through the material, include rapid fibrosing of the sling, a shortened healing period, and little or no sling movement after implantation. In accordance with the invention, when a sling is employed to treat female urinary incontinence connective tissue resembling scar tissue will begin to infiltrate one or more open areas disposed in the sling (which is positioned underneath the patient's urethra). The formation of scar tissue generally adds bulk that compresses the urethra and provides the support to improve patient continence. The scar tissue that infiltrates the sling holds the sling at the site of implantation and inhibits or prevents its movement.

[0011] In general, in one aspect, the invention involves a sling for use in a medical application. The sling is made of a sheet of synthetic material, mammalian tissue, or a combination of mammalian tissue and synthetic material. The sheet has a longitudinal axis with a first end portion and a second end portion. The second end portion of the sheet is disposed opposite and away from the first end portion along a longitudinal axis. The sheet also includes a first side and a second side, the second side is disposed opposite and away from the first side by a distance and along a perpendicular axis. The perpendicular axis is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the first axis (i.e., for example a longitudinal axis). The perpendicular axis intersects the longitudinal axis at the midpoint or substantially the midpoint of the longitudinal axis. The sheet further includes one or more cuts disposed substantially along at least a portion of the second axis (i.e., for example a perpendicular axis). The cuts are disposed such that upon exposure to tensioning force applied to the sheet substantially along the longitudinal axis during the medical application, the distance along the perpendicular axis remains substantially constant.

[0012] Embodiments of this aspect of the invention can include the following features. The cuts disposed on the sling may be a slit disposed through the sheet of material. The slits may be disposed such that at least some of the slits open upon exposure to the tensioning force applied during the medical application. The open slits provide open areas on the sling which permit tissue crosslinking and ingrowth therein when implanted inside the body of a patient.

[0013] Alternatively, the cuts may comprise any aperture disposed through the sheet of the sling. Upon exposure to the tensioning force applied during the medical application, at least some, and generally all, of the apertures on the sling remain open. The apertures that remain open provide open areas on the sling. The open areas permit tissue crosslinking and ingrowth into the cuts when the sling is implanted inside the body of a patient.

[0014] According to the invention, the cuts may be disposed substantially along the perpendicular axis of the sling. In some embodiments the cuts may be equidistant from one another.

[0015] In other embodiments, a line may be disposed, as a visual indicator, substantially along at least a portion of the perpendicular axis of the sling. The line can be made by applying a surgical ink to the sling material.

[0016] The material of the sling may be derived from mammalian tissue source(s), synthetic material(s), or a combination of mammalian tissue(s) and synthetic material(s). The mammalian tissue source may be human, human cadaveric, or tissue-engineered human tissue. The mammalian tissue may alternatively be from an animal source. Suitable sources of animal tissues may include porcine, ovine, bovine, and equine tissue sources. The material may be an omnidirectional material, a material that has equivalent tensile strength from any direction, such as pericardium or dermis. Alternatively, the material of the sling may be an oriented material, a material that has a single direction where the tensile strength of the material is the highest. Oriented materials may include rectus fascia and/or facia lata.

[0017] The synthetic material may be a solid material, a weave, a braid, a mesh, or some other suitable construction. The synthetic material source may be nylon, polyethylene, polyester, polypropylene, fluoropolymers, copolymers thereof, and other suitable synthetic materials. The material may be a synthetic material that is absorbable by the patient's body. Suitable absorbable synthetic materials may include polyglycolic acid, polylactic acid, and other suitable absorbable synthetic materials. The synthetic material may be oriented and have a single direction where the tensile strength of the material is highest. Alternatively, the material may be omnidirectional such that any direction of the synthetic material may have equivalent tensile strength.

[0018] The cuts can be formed through a sheet made of oriented tissue material along the grain, i.e., along a single direction where the tensile strength of the material is the highest. By disposing the cuts along the grain of the oriented material, the strength of the sheet may be substantially maintained. Upon exposure to tensioning force applied to the sheet substantially along the longitudinal axis, the distance along the perpendicular axis of the oriented sheet remains substantially constant. Likewise, by forming cuts through and along the highest tensile strength direction of a sheet of synthetic sling material, the strength of the synthetic sheet may be substantially maintained.

[0019] In one embodiment, one or more fasteners are disposed on the sheet of sling material. The fasteners may be disposed in regions of the sheet where there are no cuts. The fasteners may be disposed, for example, at each of the first end portion and the second end portion of the sheet. Alternatively, or in addition, one or more eyelets may be disposed through both the first end portion and the second end portion of the sheet. In one particular embodiment, a fastener, for example a suture, is secured to a sling by threading it through an eyelet disposed through the sling.

[0020] The sling of the invention may be made of a sheet that is in a shape suitable for a medical application. Suitable shapes may include rectangular and substantially rectangular. The sling may be octagonal, hexagonal, trapezoidal, elliptical, or some other shape that is suitable to the slings intended placement location within the body. In some embodiments, the sheet has elongated members, which extend substantially from a central portion of the sheet. The elongated members may be anchored to an anatomical structure in the patient without use of a suture.

[0021] In general, in another aspect, the invention relates to a method of making a sling by forming one or more cuts in a sheet of material provided in a shape suitable for use in a medical application. The sheet provided may be derived from mammalian tissue(s), synthetic material(s), or a combination of mammalian tissue(s) and synthetic material(s). The sheet includes a first end portion and a second end portion. The second end portion of the sheet is disposed opposite and away from the first end portion along a longitudinal axis. The sheet also includes a first side and a second side. The second side is disposed opposite and away from the first side by a distance and along a perpendicular axis. The perpendicular axis is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The perpendicular axis intersects the longitudinal axis at substantially the midpoint of the longitudinal axis. The one or more cuts are formed substantially along at least a portion of the perpendicular axis of the sheet. The cuts are formed in the sheet such that the distance along the perpendicular axis of the sheet remains substantially constant upon exposure to the tensioning force applied to the sheet substantially along the longitudinal axis during a medical application.

[0022] Embodiments of this other aspect of the invention can include the following features. The method of making the sling can further comprise forming a line substantially along at least a portion of the perpendicular axis of the sling. The line can be formed by applying surgical ink to the sling material. The line may be used as a visual indicator during a medical application.

[0023] The method of making the sling can further comprise disposing one or more fasteners at the first end portion of the sheet. One or more fasteners may also be disposed at the second end portion of the sheet. The fasteners may be disposed on regions of the first end portion and the second end portion of the sheet where cuts are not disposed through the material.

[0024] The method of making the sling can further comprise sterilizing the material and sterilizing the sling according to methods known in the art to make the sling suitable for use in various medical applications. The method of making the sling may include packaging the sling in a sterile holder. According to methods of the invention, the sling may be packaged under conditions that are dry and protective from ultra-violet light.

[0025] In general, in a further aspect, the invention involves a method of treating a damaged portion of a patient's body. A sling is provided and then used. The sling is made of a sheet of material that has cuts disposed through the sheet to provide open areas upon implantation inside the patient's body. The material of the sheet may be derived from mammalian tissue(s), synthetic material(s), or a combination of mammalian tissue(s) and synthetic material(s). The sheet includes a first end portion and disposed opposite and away from the first end portion along a longitudinal axis is a second end portion. The sheet also includes a first side and disposed opposite and away from the first side by a distance and along a perpendicular axis is a second side. The perpendicular axis is substantially perpendicular to and intersects the longitudinal axis at substantially the midpoint of the longitudinal axis. The sheet further includes one or more cuts disposed substantially along at least a portion of the perpendicular axis. The first end portion of the sling sheet is secured to a first anatomical structure in the body of the patient. Tensioning force is applied substantially along the longitudinal axis of the sheet. The second end portion of the sling is secured to a second anatomical structure in the body of the patient. The sling is secured inside the body of the patient such that it's perpendicular axis lies substantially along a portion of the patient's body. The one or more cuts are disposed such that the distance along the perpendicular axis of the sheet remains substantially constant when the sling is secured. The secured sling supports a damaged portion of the patient's body.

[0026] The method of using the sling of the invention may further comprise securing the first end portion to an anatomical structure using a surgical fastener. Surgical fasteners employed to secure the sling may include a suture, a clip, a bone anchor, a staple, or other suitable fasteners.

[0027] The sling may be secured to an anatomical structure in the body of the patient. Suitable anatomical structures include: bone, fascia, ligament, or muscle.

[0028] The method of using the sling can further comprise centering the sling at the damaged portion of a patient's body using a line disposed substantially along at least a portion of the perpendicular axis as a visual indicator. The line may provide a visual indication of where the one or more cuts are disposed on the sling and the line may be employed to help align the cuts with the damaged portion of the patient's body.

[0029] When the cuts are slits, at least some of the slits can be open when supporting the damaged portion of the patient's body. Alternatively, when the cuts are apertures, at least some of the apertures can remain open when supporting the damaged portion of the patient's body. The open cuts provide open areas on the sling which permit the patient's tissue to crosslink and grow into the open areas on the sling once the sling is secured inside the body of the patient. The scar tissue ingrowth both secures the sling inside the patient's body and provides support to the areas of the body into which the tissues grow.

[0030] The method may further comprise evenly distributing pressure on a damaged portion of a patient's body with the secured sling material. In one embodiment, the sling is employed to treat a female patient with urinary incontinence. The sling material may be implanted to evenly distribute pressure on a patient's urethra. The sling may be delivered and implanted to treat female urinary incontinence according to transvaginal, transabdominal, or combined transvaginal and transabdominal procedures.

[0031] In one embodiment, the sling is employed to treat a patient suffering from ISD. The sling may be implanted such that the one or more cuts on the sling contact the underside of the patient's sphincter muscle, the first side of the sling contacts the under portion of the distal bladder neck and second side of the sling contacts the under portion of the urethra. The sling can be implanted such that the sling material evenly distributes pressure on a patient's sphincter muscle without applying pressure to the urethra or bladderneck. Alternatively, the method may be employed to treat a patient with bladderneck hypermobility and the cuts on the sling may be placed adjacent to the patient's mid urethra.

[0032] The patient's body can absorb the material of the sling after implantation of the sling in the body. The sling material absorbed by the patient's body may be made from mammalian tissue. Alternatively, synthetic absorbable sling material may be absorbed by the patient's body after implantation therein.

[0033] The foregoing and other objects, aspects, features, and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following description and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] In the drawings, like reference characters generally refer to the same parts throughout the different views. Also, the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead generally being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention.

[0035]FIG. 1 illustrates a plan view of one embodiment of a sling according to the invention.

[0036]FIG. 2 illustrates a plan view of another embodiment of a substantially rectangular shaped embodiment of a sling in accordance with the invention.

[0037]FIG. 3 illustrates a plan view of another embodiment of a substantially rectangular shaped sling in accordance with the invention.

[0038]FIG. 4 illustrates a plan view of another embodiment of a rectangular shaped sling in accordance with the invention.

[0039]FIG. 5 illustrates a plan view of another embodiment of a rectangular shaped sling in accordance with the invention.

[0040]FIG. 6A illustrates a plan view of another embodiment of a sling including two pairs of elongated members extending from a central portion of the sling in accordance with the invention.

[0041]FIG. 6B illustrates a plan view of another embodiment of a sling including two pairs of elongated members extending from a central portion of the sling in accordance with the invention.

[0042]FIG. 7A illustrates a plan view of another embodiment of a sling including elongated end members extending from a central portion of the sling in accordance with the invention.

[0043]FIG. 7B illustrates a plan view of another embodiment of a sling including elongated end members extending from a central portion of the sling in accordance with the invention.

[0044]FIG. 8A is a cross section of the female pelvis illustrating the location of a sling similar to the sling of FIG. 4 relative to the urethra and the vagina and anchored to the pubic bone.

[0045]FIG. 8B is a cross section of the female pelvis illustrating the location of a sling similar to the sling of FIG. 4 relative to the urethra and the vagina and anchored to fascial urethra supports.

[0046]FIG. 9A is a sagittal section of a female pelvis illustrating the location of a sling similar to the sling of FIG. 4 relative to the mid-urethra and distal urethra and anchored to the inferior edge at the posterior aspect of the pubic bone.

[0047]FIG. 9B is a sagittal section of a female pelvis illustrating the location of a sling similar to the sling of FIG. 4 relative to the mid-urethra and distal urethra and anchored to the pubic bone between the superior and the inferior edge on the posterior side of the pubic bone.

[0048]FIG. 9C is a sagittal section of a female pelvis illustrating the location of a sling similar to the sling of FIG. 4 relative to the mid-urethra and distal urethra and anchored to the pubic bone at the superior end of the pubic bone.

[0049]FIG. 10 is a sagittal section of a female pelvis illustrating the location of the sling similar to the sling of FIG. 3 relative to the bladderneck, sphincter (not shown), and the urethra and anchored to the pubic bone.

DESCRIPTION

[0050] Referring to FIG. 1, in one embodiment according tot he invention, a sling 2 is a substantially rectangular sheet 6 made of one or more materials. Sheet 6 includes a first end portion 14 at one end of of the sheet 6 and a second end portion 24 at the opposite end of the sheet 6 along a first longitudinal axis 34. The sheet 6 also includes a first side 18 and a second side 28. The second side 28 is disposed opposite the first side 18 along a second axis 38 that is substantially perpendicular to the first longitudinal axis 34. The perpendicular axis 38 substantially bisects the longitudinal axis 34. The perpendicular axis 38 extends the distance 150 from the first side 18 to the second side 28.

[0051] The sling 2 can be rectangular or substantially rectangular in shape or the sling 2 can be an octagonal shape. In alternative embodiments, the sling 2 has other shapes suitable to its intended placement location within the body such as trapezoidal, hexagonal, or elliptical shapes.

[0052] The sheet 6 includes one or more cuts 10 disposed along at least a portion of the length of the perpendicular axis 38. The cuts 10 are disposed such that the length of the perpendicular axis 38 remains substantially constant following the application of tension applied substantially along the longitudinal axis 34 of the sheet 6. Such tension may be applied, for example, during implantation of the sling 2 in a patient. The cuts 10 can be, for example, slits or alternatively apertures disposed through the full thickness of sheet 6. In some embodiments, the cuts 10 may not extend through the entire thickness of the sheet 6. In a particular embodiment, cuts 10 through the sheet 6 parallel the direction of high tensile strength of the synthetic sling material may substantially maintain the strength of the synthetic material.

[0053] In one embodiment, the longitudinal axis 34 of the sheet 6 ranges from about 2.5 cm to about 30 cm in length, and the perpendicular axis 38 ranges from about 1.0 cm to about 3.0 cm. The cuts 10 are disposed substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis 34 and the cuts 10 range from about 0.5 cm to about 28 cm in length. In some embodiments, the cuts 10 range from about 0.5 cm to about 1.5 cm in length. The thickness of the sheet 6 (not depicted in the plan view of FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7A, and 7B) can be uniform over the entire piece of the sheet 6 or it can vary at one or more different locations of the sheet 6. The thickness of a material from a mammalian source can range from about 0.01 inches to about 0.2 inches, but typically will be about 0.05 inches. The thickness of a material from a synthetic source may range from about 0.01 inches to about 0.05 inches, but typically will be about 0.035 and a uniform thickness. The material construction may impact the material thickness such that, for example, a weave may have thicker regions where the fibers intersect and the material thickness may not be uniform.

[0054] In one embodiment, according to the invention, the sheet 6 may be made of mammalian tissue(s), synthetic material(s), or a combination of mammalian tissue(s) and synthetic material(s). One or more mammalian tissues including porcine, ovine, bovine, equine, human cadaveric, or tissue-engineered tissue(s) may be employed to make the sheet 6. The sheet 6 may be derived from omnidirectional tissue(s), tissues where the material has equivalent tensile strength from any direction. Exemplary omnidirectional materials include dermis and/or pericardium. Suitable materials for use in accordance with this invention include a chemically processed acellular human dermis product that preserves, undamaged, the bioactive structural dermal matrix and which is freeze-dried for storage, such as AlloDerm® acellular tissue available form Lifecell (Branchburg, N.J.)

[0055] In another embodiment, oriented mammal tissue(s), i.e., tissues having a single direction where the tensile strength of the tissue material is highest, including rectus fascia and/or facia lata may be used for the sheet 6. Suitable cleaned and sterilized oriented human tissue materials may be obtained from tissue banks.

[0056] In one embodiment according to the invention, animal tissues may be selected from tissues available from government regulated slaughter houses. Animal tissues may be dehydrated with a dehydrating fluid, such as ethyl alcohol or the like, prior to treatment with chemical cross-linking agents, to allow for improved penetration. The cross-linking agent cross-links collagen in the tissues to make the tissue stronger and reduce the antigenicity of the tissue. Other agents such as pepsin may also be used to further reduce antigenicity. In one embodiment according to the invention, the tissues may be cross-linked by using one or more of the following treatment agents: glutaraldehyde, dialdehyde, glutaraldehyde starch, dialdehyde starch, an epoxy compound or ionizing radiation. Certain processes (such as heat, radiation or pH change) or agents such as halogens, enzymes, organic solvents, detergents, sodium hydroxide, hydrochloric acid, sodium hypochlorite or hydrogen peroxide) may be used to inactivate viruses with and without protein coats during the manufacturing process. The tissue may also be treated with a highly volatile chemical such as, for example, propylene oxide, to assist with the sterilization of the tissue. Sterilization may be accomplished using one or more of the following treatments: glutaraldehyde, alcohol, propylene oxide or irradiation sterilization. The treatment of the tissue, with a combination of these materials and processes, can both cross-link the tissue and render the tissue sterile for implantation inside the body of a patient.

[0057] In another embodiment according to the invention, the synthetic sling material may be a solid material, a weave, a braid, a mesh or an alternate material construction. The synthetic material may be a polymer. Suitable polymer sources for the sling 2 may include nylon, polyethylene, polyester, polypropylene, fluoropolymers or copolymers thereof. An exemplary synthetic polyester material suitable for use in the sling 2 according to the invention is available under the trade designation Dacron®^(,) from E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company (Wilmington, Del.). In another embodiment, suitable synthetic materials include the fluoropolymers polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), which has non-melt processible characteristics, and fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP), which has melt-processible characteristics, both fluoropolymers are available under the trade designation Teflon®^(,) from E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company (Wilmington, Del.). A suitable PTFE material of solid material construction is a available under the trade designation GORE-TEX®, from W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc. (Flagstaff, Ariz.).

[0058] In yet another embodiment absorbable synthetic materials may be suitable for use sling 2 in accordance with the invention. For example, polyglycolic acid (PGA), polylactic acid (PLA), and other available absorbable synthetic materials may be suitable. A PGA material that may be suitable for use in sling 2 is available under the trade designation Dexon®, from American Cyanamid Company (Wayne, N.J.). Other suitable polymeric and non-polymeric synthetic materials may be employed in accordance with the invention.

[0059] In another embodiment, combinations of synthetic materials and mammalian tissues may also be used according to the invention. These combinations may include material having a combination of parts, including, for example, parts made of synthetic polymers and parts made of processed animal tissues. Such combinations also include materials that have both synthetic polymers and animal cells that are treated so as to cross-link the collagen or other commonly antigenic fibers in the animal cells.

[0060] According to one embodiment of the invention, following implantation of a sling 2 in the body of the patient, at least some, and generally all or most, of the cuts 10 provide open areas through the sling 2. Tissue will begin to grow into these open areas. The tissue ingrowth secures the sling 2 position inside the patient's body.

[0061] In one particular embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the first 1 cm and the last 1 cm of the longitudinal axis 34 do not have any cuts 10. A fastener 46 for securing the sling 2 to an anatomical structure of the patient can be disposed in the 1 cm region at each end of the longitudinal axis 34. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 2, one or more attachment sites 48, for example, eyelets, may be disposed throughout the sling 2 and located at, for example, the first end portion 14 and the second end portion 24 of the sling. In one particular embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, the fasteners 46 are, for example, sutures that are disposed on the sling 2 by threading them through the eyelets 48 in the synthetic sheet 6 sling 2. In one embodiment, the fastener 46 is, for example, a suture, clip, staple, anchor. In alternative embodiments, the fastener 46 is pre-attached to the sling 2.

[0062] In some embodiments, the cuts 10 are disposed such that the distance between adjacent cuts 160 is equal. The distance between equally distanced adjacent cuts 160 may range from about 5 mm to about 1.25 cm in length, for example. The cuts 10 disposed adjacent and equidistant may be disposed along the perpendicular axis 38 from the first side 18 to the second side 28 of the sling 2. In one embodiment, the cuts 10 are disposed about the region of the sling 2 where the perpendicular axis 38 and the longitudinal axis 34 intersect. A single cut 10 may be employed and it can be disposed at any point along the perpendicular axis 38. The cuts 10 are disposed such that the distance 150 remains substantially constant upon exposure to a tensioning force applied substantially along the longitudinal axis 34 during a medical application (such as a procedure to implant the sling 2 in the body of a patient to treat ISD).

[0063] In one embodiment, a sling made of a synthetic material is disposed with cuts 10 that are slits 10A. The unimplanted sling 2 distance 150 is 2.0 cm. After exposure to tensioning force, the implanted sling 2 has a distance 150 that ranges between about 1.6 cm and about 2.0 cm. In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, where the cuts 10 are slits 10A that are disposed along the high tensile strength direction of the synthetic material, the sling 2 distance 150 is maintained closer to the original distance 150, at about 2.0 cm.

[0064] In one embodiment, the sheet 6 is derived from the oriented human cadaveric tissue fascia lata, and the cuts 10 are disposed through and along the grain of the sheet 6 made of oriented material. The cuts 10 are disposed on the sheet 6 so that the width of the sheet 6 (at least along the perpendicular axis 38) is maintained at substantially the same distance 150 before, during, and after the application of tensioning force substantially along the longitudinal axis 34 such as would be applied to the sheet 6 during a medical application. Such tensioning force is applied to the sling 2 when, for example, the sling 2 is implanted inside a female patient in a medical procedure designed to treat stress urinary incontinence.

[0065] Generally, material derived from mammalian tissue does not have any cuts or open areas. The time period for slings made from mammalian tissue material lacking any cuts or open areas to absorb into the patient host is generally six to twelve months. Likewise, solid, tightly woven, or closely knit absorbable synthetic materials generally do not have open areas. The time period typically required for such synthetic absorbable materials to be absorbed by the patient's body is between about one to about six months. Disposing the cuts 10 through the sheet 6 allows rapid tissue ingrowth, which anchors the sling 2 at the location where it was implanted and generally lessens the time it takes for the sheet 6 to absorb into the patient's body and thus lessens the healing process.

[0066] On a sling 2 made of mammalian tissue or absorbable synthetic material, the cuts 10 open areas will be absorbed into the area adjacent to the patient's body within a few weeks after implantation. The time period required for the entire sling 2 made from mammalian tissue or absorbable synthetic material to be absorbed by the patient's body may be reduced in proportion to the open surface area on the sling 2. Thus, where cuts 10 are disposed so that sling 2 made of mammalian tissue has fifty percent open surface area, the time period for the sling 2 to be absorbed into the patient's body may be reduced to between about three and twelve months as compared to the minimum six months for mammalian tissue material lacking any cuts.

[0067] As shown in FIG. 2, a substantially rectangular sling 2 according to one embodiment of the present invention has cuts 10 that are slits 10A extending through the thickness of the sheet 6. The slits 10A are disposed such that they are alternately offset to the left and to the right of the perpendicular axis 38. As shown, a longer portion of slits 10A extends from the perpendicular axis 38 to the first end portion 14, and this alternates in that the next slit 10A has its longer portion located from the perpendicular axis 38 to the second end portion 24 and so on. Thus FIG. 2 shows an alternating pattern of offset slits 10A. In other embodiments, other patterns are used. In all variations, the cuts 10 are disposed substantially along at least a portion of the perpendicular axis 38.

[0068] In one embodiment, the slits 10A are disposed through the sheet 6, and they open upon exposure to a substantially longitudinal tensioning force that is applied to the sling 2 during a medical application. One exemplary medical application is the implantation of the sling 2 into the body of a female patient to treat stress urinary incontinence. The opened slits 10A provide open areas that allow rapid scar tissue formation and tissue ingrowth generally. These opened slits 10A permit tissue crosslinking and tissue ingrowth into the sling 2 once the sling 2 is secured inside the body of the patient.

[0069] The slits 10A are disposed on the sling 2 such that when the sling 2 is implanted inside the patient's body, the slits 10A provide openings that allow tissue ingrowth at the site of the damaged portion of the patient's body that the sling 2 is employed to support. In one embodiment, the sling 2 is employed to support a patient's urethra. The slits 10A are disposed on the sling 2 along the perpendicular axis 38 such that when implanted adjacent to the patient's urethra, the open areas allow ingrowth to the regions of the urethra which require support. In some embodiments, one or more of the slits 10A are opened when the sling 2 is positioned at an angle surrounding the patient's urethra.

[0070] In the embodiment of FIG. 3, a substantially rectangular shaped sling 2 of the present invention has cuts 10 that are apertures 10B. The apertures 10B are disposed about the perpendicular axis 38 such that they are alternately offset to the left and to the right of the perpendicular axis 38. The apertures 10B are disposed about the perpendicular axis 38 as the alternately offset slits 10A were disposed in FIG. 2.

[0071] The apertures 10B provide open areas in sling 2 once disposed through the sheet 6. At least some, and usually all, of the apertures 10B remain open upon exposure to tensioning force applied along the longitudinal axis 34 of the sling 2 during the medical application. When, for example, the sling 2 is implanted inside the patient, the apertures 10B open areas generally permit scar tissue to grow into the sling 2. The size, shape, and placement of each of the apertures 10B may be selected to provide a desired surface area when implanted. In one embodiment, the size of the apertures 10B and the aperture 10B location on the sling 2 are selected such that when implanted inside the patient, scar tissue will grow through the apertures 10B to support an adjacent damaged portion of a patient's body. The apertures 10B are shown as diamond shapes in FIG. 3, but other shapes are possible.

[0072] According to the invention, the choice of the size, shape, quantity, and location of the cuts 10 and the choice of sheet 6 may be made to maximize open surface area while maintaining the distance 150 substantially constant upon exposure to a surgical tensioning force.

[0073] The percentage by which the distance 150 reduces will depend on the number of cuts 10 and the material type 6, whether from mammalian tissue, synthetic material, or a combination of mammalian tissue and synthetic material. The placement of the cuts 10 on the material will also impact the percentage by which the distance 150 may reduce. When, for example, the cuts 10 are formed along the grain of an oriented mammalian tissue, the distance 150 of the sling 2 may be reduced by a lower percentage then if an omnidirectional tissue material were employed.

[0074] In one embodiment where the sheet 6 is derived from an oriented tissue and the cuts 10 are disposed along the grain of the sheet 6, when exposed to surgical tensioning force the sling 2 will maintain a substantially constant distance 150. Generally, an oriented material sling 2 will support more cuts 10 while maintaining a substantially constant distance 150 when exposed to the same surgical tensioning force than an otherwise identical sling 2 made of a sheet 6 derived from an omnidirectional tissue material.

[0075] Cuts 10 that are apertures 10B generally have a larger open surface area than cuts 10 that are slits 10A, which results in a greater reduction in the perpendicular distance 150 due to more of the sheet 6 stretching in the longitudinal direction upon exposure to tensioning force. Generally, the distance 150 of slings 2 disposed with cuts 10 that are slits 10A will reduce by between about zero and about twenty percent upon exposure to surgical tensioning force and/or when implanted. The implanted distance 150 of slings 2 disposed with cuts 10 that are apertures 10B will generally reduce by between about zero and about fifty percent upon exposure to surgical tensioning force and/or when implanted.

[0076]FIG. 4 provides an alternative embodiment where the line 42 is a visual indicator disposed along the perpendicular axis 38 of the rectangular sling 2. The line 42 is a visual guide employed to align slits 10A disposed on the sling 2 with the damaged portion of the patient's body. In one disclosed embodiment, the slits 10A are equal in length, disposed along the perpendicular axis 38 and the substantial midpoint of each slit 10A intersects with line 42. The line 42 may be used to evenly align the slits 10A with the portion of the patient's body that the sling 2 is employed to support.

[0077] In one particular embodiment, the sling 2 is employed to treat female stress urinary incontinence and is used to support the patient's urethra. During implantation, the surgeon applies tension to the sling 2 and visually aligns line 42 such that it is adjacent to the portion of the patient's urethra requiring support. The slits 2 are selectively disposed about line 42 to target these portions of the patient's urethra. Some or all of the slits 10A disposed on line 42 of the implanted sling 2 provide open areas to the patient's urethra. Some or all of the slits 10A may open when the sling 2 is bent around to surround the patient's urethra. Other slits 10A may open upon exposure to substantially longitudinal tensioning force during the medical application. Very soon after being placed inside the patient's body, scar tissue will begin to grow into the slings 2 open areas to support the targeted portion of the patient's urethra.

[0078] In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the sling 2 has a single cut 10, slit 10A, disposed along the perpendicular axis 38. A surgical fastener 46 is disposed at both the first end portion 14 and the second end portion 24 of the sling 2. The fastener 46, disposed at the first end portion 14, is used to anchor sling 2 to a first anatomical structure in the body of a patient. The fastener 46, disposed at the second end portion 24, is used to anchor sling 2 to a second anatomical structure in the body of a patient.

[0079] In one embodiment, the fastener 46 is a suture. In alternative embodiments, the fastener 46 is pre-attached to the sling 2 and may include a clip, a bone anchor, a staple, and/or other suitable fasteners.

[0080] In a particular embodiment, the sling of FIG. 5 is used to treat a patient suffering from ISD. The surgeon anchors the first end portion 14 to a first anatomical structure, aligns the single cut 10, slit 10A, with the patient's sphincter muscle, and then anchors the second end portion 24 to a second anatomical structure. The cut 10A provides open surface area upon implantation in the patient's body. Soon after implantation, scar tissue begins to grow generally into the open surface area adjacent to the sphincter muscle to compress the sphincter muscle and improve continence. This scar tissue formation quickly maintains the sling 2 in the place where the surgeon positioned it.

[0081] The slings 2 of FIGS. 6A and 6B feature two first end portion elongated members 114 a and 114 b and two second end portion elongated members 124 a and 124 b extending from the central portion of sling 2. The slits 10A are disposed about the perpendicular axis 38. FIG. 6A has slits 10A that are disposed along the perpendicular axis 38. FIG. 6B has slits 10A that are disposed so that they are alternately offset to the left and to the right of the perpendicular axis 38.

[0082] The slings 2 of FIGS. 7A and 7B feature a first end portion elongated member 114 and a second end portion elongated member 124 extending from the central portion of sling 2. Cuts 10 are disposed about the perpendicular axis 38 of sling 2. FIG. 7A has slits 10A that are alternately offset to the left and the right along the perpendicular axis 38. FIG. 7B has a cut 10 that is an aperture 10B disposed at the midpoint of the longitudinal axis 34 and the perpendicular axis 38.

[0083] A method of making a sling 2 of the invention (depicted in, for example, FIG. 4) from a sheet 6 includes, in overview, the steps of: providing a sheet 6 in a shape suitable for a medical application and forming one or more cuts 10 substantially along the perpendicular axis 38 of the sheet 6. The sheet 6 includes a first end portion 14 and a second end portion 24, the second end portion 24 is disposed opposite and away from the first end portion 14 along a longitudinal axis 34. The sheet 6 also includes a first side 18 and a second side 28, the second side 28 is disposed opposite and away from the first side 18 by a distance 150 and along a perpendicular axis 38. The perpendicular axis 38 is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 34, and the perpendicular axis 38 intersects the longitudinal axis 34 at substantially the midpoint of the longitudinal axis 34. Forming one or more cuts 10 disposed substantially along at least a portion of the perpendicular axis 38. The cuts 10 are formed such that the distance 150 remains substantially constant upon exposure to tensioning force applied to the sheet 6 substantially along the longitudinal axis 34 during the medical application.

[0084] A first step in making the sling 2 is obtaining sheet 6 in a shape suitable for use in a medical application. Exemplary materials may be obtained from mammalian tissues, synthetic material or a combination of mammalian tissue and synthetic material. Mammalian tissue sources include human cadaveric, tissue-engineered products, porcine, ovine, bovine, equine and/or other tissues. The mammalian material may be omnidirectional, oriented, or a combination of the two.

[0085] Omnidirectional tissues include dermis and pericardium. One chemically processed acellular human dermis product that preserves, undamaged, the bioactive structural dermal matrix and which is freeze-dried for storage is suitable for use as the sheet 6 in accordance with this invention. The removal of cells from the otherwise intact dermal matrix reduces the risk of rejection and inflammation and the matrix provides a basis for soft tissue reconstruction. Such an acellular human matrix is available from Lifecell (Branchburg, N.J.) and is referred to as AlloDerm® acellular tissue.

[0086] Oriented materials suitable for use in the present invention include human fascia lata and rectus fascia. Cleaned and sterilized oriented human tissue materials may be obtained from tissue banks. Suitable Animal tissues may be suitable for use in accordance with the invention after the Animal tissues are cleaned, chemically treated, and sterilized according to various methods that are available in the art. Such Animal tissues may be available from government regulated slaughterhouses, for example.

[0087] Suitable synthetic materials may be a solid material, a weave, a braid, a mesh or an alternate material construction. The synthetic material may be a polymer. Suitable polymer sources may include nylon, polyethylene, polyester, polypropylene, fluoropolymers or copolymers thereof. An exemplary synthetic polyester material suitable for use in according to the invention is available under the trade designation Dacron®, from E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company (Wilmington, Del.). Other suitable synthetic materials include the fluoropolymers available under the trade designation Teflon®, from E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company (Wilmington, Del.). Suitable absorbable synthetic materials may be employed in accordance with the invention. Such absorbable synthetic materials include polyglycolic acid (PGA), polylactic acid (PLA), and other available absorbable synthetic materials. A PGA material that may be suitable for use in accordance with the invention is available under the trade designation Dexon®, from Davis and Geck (Wayne, N.J.). Other suitable polymeric and nonpolymeric synthetic materials may be employed in accordance with the invention.

[0088] Combinations of synthetic materials and mammalian tissues may also be used according to the invention. These combinations may include material having a combination of parts, including, for example, parts made of synthetic polymers and of processed animal tissues. Such combinations also include materials that include both synthetic polymers and animal cells that are treated so as to cross-link the collagen or other commonly antigenic fibers in the animal cells.

[0089] The sheet 6 is provided in a shape suitable for a medical application. Suitable shapes of sheets 6 may be rectangular and substantially rectangular. The material may be shaped such that elongated members extend from a central portion of the sheet 6. Other suitable shapes of the sheet 6 include octagonal, trapezoidal, elliptical and hexagonal shapes.

[0090] A second step of making the sling 2 is forming one or more cuts 10 in the sheet 6 positioned substantially along at least a portion of the material's 6 perpendicular axis 38. The cuts 10 are disposed so that upon exposure to tensioning force applied substantially along the longitudinal axis 34 of the sheet 6, pursuant to a medical application, the distance 150 remains substantially constant. Multiple cuts 10 may all be formed at the same time. Alternatively, cuts 10 can be formed one at a time. A cut 10 may be formed by extending a straight blade edge through the sheet 6 for the length of the cut 10. The cuts 10 may also be formed by pressing a die in the shape of cut 10 into the sheet 6 to punch out and separate the shape of the punched cut 10 from the sheet 6. For example, a sharpened die in the shape of aperture 10B pressed into sheet 6 will form the aperture 10B in the sheet 6 by punching out and separating the shape of aperture 10B from the sheet 6. Other methods may be employed to form cut(s) in the sheet 6.

[0091] In some embodiments, exposing the cuts 10 to heat when forming the cuts 10 or after they are formed in the sheet 6 seals the cuts 10 and prevents the sheet 6 from fraying at the site of each cut 10. Heat sealing the sheet 6 at the site of the cuts 10 may be useful when, for example, the sheet 6 is a synthetic polymer material of solid, woven, braided, mesh or other construction.

[0092] The cuts 10 may be sealed ultrasonically, by exposing the cuts 10 to mechanical heat to seal the cuts 10. Alternatively, the cut 10 may be a slit 10A that is made with a straight blade edge that is heated to a sufficient temperature to seal the slit 10A. In one particular embodiment, a sharpened die in the shape of aperture 10B is heated and the aperture 10B is cut and sealed in one step by pressing the heated die into sheet 6 to punch out and form a sealed aperture 10B in the sheet 6.

[0093] In one embodiment, one or more of the cuts 10 are slits 10A that extend through the thickness of the sheet 6 for the length of the slit 10A. Alternatively, for example, the slits 10A do not extend through the entire thickness of the material for the length of the slit 10A. However, upon exposure to tensioning force applied during the implantation, the slit 10A may extend through the sheet 6 to provide open surface area through the material. In another embodiment, as disclosed in FIG. 3, one or more of the cuts 10 is an aperture 10B. Upon exposure to tensioning force applied during the medical application, one or more of the apertures 10B remain open.

[0094] An alternative embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, includes the step of forming a line 42 substantially along at least a portion of the perpendicular axis 38 of the sheet 6. The line 42 may be formed by, for example, applying surgical ink along the perpendicular axis 38 of the sheet 6.

[0095] Another embodiment, as disclosed in FIG. 5, includes the step of disposing one or more fasteners 46 at the first end portion 14 of the sheet 6. Thereafter, one or more fasteners 46 may be disposed at the second end portion 24 of the sheet 6. Fasteners 46 disposed on the sling 2 include sutures, bone anchors, staples, clips, and other suitable fasteners. In one particular embodiment, the fasteners 46 are sutures threaded through and secured to the sheet 6 at locations where slits 10A are not present for the first and last 1 cm of the longitudinal axis 34.

[0096] In an alternative embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, one or more eyelets 48 are formed in the sheet 6 and the fasteners 46 are sutures threaded through and secured to the eyelets 48. The eyelets 48 may be formed through the material by pressing a die in the shape of the eyelet 48 into the material and punching the shape of the eyelet 48 out of the sheet 6. In one particular embodiment, the sheet 6 is a synthetic braided material and a heated die in the shape of eyelet 48 is pressed into the sheet 6 to form the sealed eyelet 48, thus preventing the sheet 6 from fraying at the site of the eyelet 48.

[0097] The sling 2 may be sterilized and packaged in a sterile holder. The packaging conditions may be dry and the package protective of the sling 2 during transport and storage. The packaging may be designed to protect the sheet 6 of the sling 2 from ultra-violet light to prevent damage. The sling 2 disclosed herein is packaged in a shape and size suitable for its intended purpose. Upon opening the protective package, the sling 2 may be hydrated, if necessary, with, for example, saline solution, and thereafter implanted in the patient without any additional alteration by the surgeon performing the surgical procedure. In an embodiment where, for example, the sling 2 made of mammalian tissue material is employed, the sling 2 is hydrated in saline solution prior to implantation.

[0098] In one embodiment, in accordance with the invention, a method of treating a damaged portion of a patient's body employs the sling 2. The method includes, in overview, providing the sling 2, as described herein. Securing the first end portion 14 of the sheet 6 of the sling 2 to a first anatomical structure in the body of the patient. Applying tensioning force substantially along the longitudinal axis 34 of the sheet 6. Securing the second end portion 24 of the sheet 6 to a second anatomical structure in the body of the patient. The perpendicular axis 38 of sling 2 is positioned so that it lies substantially along a portion of the patient's body. The one or more cuts 10 disposed along the perpendicular axis 38 are disposed such that the distance 150 remains substantially constant with the sheet 6 secured. Supporting a damaged portion of the patient's body with the secured sheet 6. In some embodiments, the sheet 6 evenly distributes pressure on a damaged portion of a patient's body.

[0099] In one particular embodiment, the sling is employed to treat a female patient suffering from stress urinary incontinence. Physiological conditions that cause stress urinary incontinence include ISD, bladderneck hypermobility, and a combination of the two conditions. When a sling is employed to treat these conditions, it may be used to provide support to the patient's urethra. Where the physiological condition is ISD, the sling may be implanted to improve improper coaption of the urethral sphincter. Alternatively, where the condition is hypermobility, the sling may be implanted to support, elevate or “back stop” the midurethra. In the patient who suffers from a combination of ISD and hypermobility, a sling 2 may be implanted to support one or both of these sites.

[0100] Methods of sling delivery and implantation to treat female stress incontinence include transvaginal, transabdominal, and combined transvaginal and transabdominal procedures. Preoperatively, according to these sling delivery methods, the patient receives broad spectrum antibiotics, such as gentamicin and ampicillin. The patient is placed in the dorsal lithotomy position and regional or general anesthesia is administered. Preparation of the patient may include isolation of the anus with a stapled towel or plastic drape. A Foley catheter is placed.

[0101] In the transvaginal method, a midline incision is made in the upper vaginal wall beneath the bladderneck, such as at the urethro-vesical junction. Starting adjacent to the bladder neck on either side of the urethra, a 1 cm incision is made through the anterior vaginal wall approximately 1 cm lateral to and parallel to the midline of the urethra. The vaginal wall is retracted to allow access to the endopelvic fascia. The surgeon then inserts an instrument such as surgical scissors through the incision in the upper vaginal wall and bluntly dissects the tissue on both sides of the urethra to create a pocket for the sling.

[0102] The pocket can also be created and the sling can be inserted using a variety of other minimally invasive instruments/methods including the transvaginal, hiatal and percutaneous approaches disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,053,935 entitled “Transvaginal Anchor Implantation Device” issued Apr. 25, 2000, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/023,965 entitled “Percutaneous and Hiatal Devices and Methods for Use in Minimally Invasive Pelvic Surgery” filed Feb. 13, 1997, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,099,547 entitled “Method and Apparatus for Minimally Invasive Pelvic Surgery” issued Aug. 8, 2000, which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0103] In one embodiment, the sling is secured to the pubic bone with a suture attached to a bone anchor. Referring to FIG. 8A, the sling 2 is implanted inside the patient and the first end portion 14 and the second end portion 24 of the sheet 6 are secured to the pubic bone 230. The sling 2 is similar to the sling described above and shown in FIG. 4. The sling 2 is a rectangular sling made of mammalian material, with a line 42, a visual indicator, disposed along the perpendicular axis 38. The slits 10A are disposed along the line 42. The sling 2 may be positioned between the urethra 210 and the exterior of the anterior vaginal wall 200. According to the anatomical defects of the patient and the preference of the physician, the placement of the sling 2 supports, elevates, or provides a “backstop” for the urethra 210. A variety of instruments/methods may be used to secure the sling 2 to the bone 230 including the bone anchor disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 6,053,935 entitled “Transvaginal Anchor Implantation Device,” issued Apr. 25, 2000.

[0104] An anchor implantation device is introduced through the opening in the vaginal wall 200. The leading edge of the anchor implantation device is pressed through the anterior vaginal wall incision to the side of the bladder neck, and inserted into the inferior edge of the posterior aspect of the pubic bone. In some embodiments, the anchor implant site is located lateral to the symphysis pubis and cephalad to the inferior edge of the pubic bone. In one particular embodiment, the anchor implant site is located approximately 1 cm lateral to the symphysis pubis and 1 cm cephalad to the inferior edge of the posterior aspect of the pubic bone.

[0105] After the anchor is driven into the pubic bone 230, the anchor implantation device is withdrawn and removed leaving the two free ends of suture exiting the endopelvic fascia and trailing the two free ends of the suture from the vaginal wall 200 incision. The above procedure is repeated on the opposite side of the urethra 210 to implant a second anchor.

[0106] A pre-sized sling 2 may be selected to suit the size of the patient. The sling 2 is removed from its sterile packaging. In some embodiments, the surgeon will remove excess portions of the sling 2 to suit the patient. In an embodiment where the sheet 6 is made from mammalian tissue, the surgeon may cut off excess portions of the sling 2 without further treatment of the sheet 6 to prevent fraying. In embodiments where the sheet 6 is made from a synthetic material, the surgeon may heat seal the edge where excess sheet 6 was removed from the sling 2 to prevent the material from fraying. Thereafter, the sling 2 is hydrated in preparation for implantation. Water, saline, or other solutions may be employed to hydrate the sling. Furthermore, the hydrating solution may include an antimicrobial and/or an antibiotic.

[0107] The sling 2 is positioned in the pocket formed under the urethra 210. The free ends of suture from the two anchors on each side of the urethra 210 are then tied to the first end portion 14 and the second end portion 24 of the sling 2. The sutures are then tied off with the appropriate amount of tension to support the urethra 210. In one particular embodiment, slits 10A are disposed about line 42 on sling 2 and line 42 is aligned with the portion of the patient's urethra 210 requiring support. Upon implantation, at least some of the slits 10A will provide open areas to patient's urethra. The vaginal wall 200 incision is then closed.

[0108] In an alternative transvaginal procedure, the sling is implanted inside the patient as depicted in FIG. 8B. The sling 2 is similar to the sling 2 described above and shown in FIG. 4. The sling 2 is rectangular in shape and is comprised of mammalian tissue. The sling has both a visual indication line 42 and slits 10A disposed along the perpendicular axis 38. The sling 2 is implanted inside the patient and the first end portion 14 and the second end portion 24 of the sheet 6 are secured to the muscular and/or fascial urethral supports 220. The sling 2 is located between the urethra 210 and the exterior of the anterior vaginal wall 200. The sling 2 supports the urethra 210.

[0109] The pocket is formed as described above. The sling 2 size may be pre-selected to suit the patient. The surgeon selects the sling size according to the patient size and area the sling 2 is employed to support. The sling 2 is removed from the sterile packaging, any excess portions of the sling 2 are cut off to suit the patient and, if necessary, the sling 2 is sealed to prevent fraying where portions of sheet 6 were removed from the sling 2. Thereafter, water, saline, an antimicrobial and/or an antibiotic solution, or other solutions are employed to hydrate the sling 2 in preparation for implantation.

[0110] A suture is attached to the first end portion 14 of the sling 2. The suture is threaded through a surgical needle and is introduced inside the patient's body through the opening in the vaginal wall 200. The surgical needle and suture are pressed through the muscular and fascial urethral support 220. The suture anchors the sling 2 to the muscular and fascial urethral support 220. Once the first end portion 14 of sling 2 is anchored to the anatomical structure, the needle is detached from the suture. The surgeon then applies tension to the sling 2 and visually aligns line 42, thereby aligning the slits 10A, with the portion of the patient's urethra requiring support. Thereafter, the above procedure is repeated on the opposite side of the urethra 210 to anchor the second end portion 24 of sling 2 to the muscular and/or fascial urethral support 220. The surgeon confirms that an appropriate level of tension is applied to the sling 2 to support the patient's urethra. Some or all of the slits 10A will provide open areas to the patient's urethra upon implantation inside the patient's body. The vaginal wall 200 incision is then closed.

[0111] In an alternative embodiment, the sling 2 is secured to the body of the patient with a sutureless fastener. Exemplary fasteners that may be used include staples, bone anchors and clips. In another embodiment, the slings shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7A, 7B, 8A and 8B can be secured to the body of the patient using a number of fasteners that include sutures, clips, bone anchors and staples.

[0112] The placement of sling 2 relative to the urethra varies according to the condition being treated. Where the condition being treated is bladderneck hypermobility, the sling may be implanted to support, elevate or “back stop” the midurethra and the distal urethra. The sling may be implanted to stabilize or kink the urethra and improve urethral closing pressure, thereby improving continence.

[0113] Generally, the implanted distance 150 of slings 2 disposed with slits 10A will reduce by between about zero and about twenty percent. The percentage by which the distance 150 reduces upon exposure to surgical tensioning force will depend on the number of slits 10A and the material type 6, whether from mammalian tissue, synthetic material, or a combination of mammalian tissue and synthetic material. The placement of the slits 10A on the material will also impact the percentage by which the distance 150 may reduce. When, for example, the slits are formed along the grain of an oriented mammalian tissue or along the high tensile strength direction of a synthetic material, the distance 150 may be reduced by a lower percentage then if an omnidirectional tissue material or a synthetic with equivalent tensile strength at all directions were employed.

[0114] FIGS. 9A-9C each provide a sagittal section of a female pelvis illustrating one location of the sling 2 relative to the mid-urethra and distal urethra and anchored to the pubic bone 230. In some embodiments, the sling is positioned mid-urethrally to treat hypermobility.

[0115] In FIG. 9A, the sling 2 is anchored to the inferior edge of the public bone 230. The sling 2 may be implanted via the transvaginal procedure described above and shown in FIG. 8A. As shown in FIG. 9B, the sling 2 may also be anchored between the superior and inferior edge of the posterior aspect of the pubic bone 230 at the mid-point or lower toward the inferior edge of the pubic bone 230. The sling 2 may also be implanted via the above referenced transvaginal procedure shown in FIG. 8A.

[0116] As shown in FIG. 9C, the sling 2 may be anchored to the anterior side of the superior end of the pubic bone 230. In some embodiments the sling is anchored to the pubic tubercles. The sling 2 may be implanted by employing a percutaneous approach to anchor the sling in the position shown in, for example, FIG. 9C.

[0117] The sling of FIGS. 9A-9C is similar to the sling 2 of FIG. 4. In one particular embodiment, the sling 2 depicted in FIG. 4 is made of omnidirectional mammalian tissue material with slits 10A disposed therethrough and the unimplanted distance 150 of the sling 2 is about 2 cm. During implantation, the sling 2 is exposed to substantially longitudinal tensioning force. When implanted, the sling 2 distance 150 will reduce by about twenty percent and the implanted sling will have a distance 150 of about 1.6 cm, thereby maintaining a substantially constant distance upon exposure to substantially longitudinal tensioning force applied to the sheet 6 during the medical application.

[0118] In one particular embodiment, the slits 10A are disposed about the line 42 on sling 2. The line 42 is employed to visually align the sling 2 with the patient's midurethra and distal urethra. In one embodiment, the sheet 6 of sling 2 evenly distributes pressure on the urethra. In another embodiment, the sling 2 evenly distributes pressure on the midurethra without applying pressure to other portions of the urethra.

[0119] Upon implantation inside the patient, some or all of the slits 10A provide open areas to the mid-urethra and distal urethra. Some of the slits 10A may become open when the slits 10A are bent around to surround the patient's urethra during implantation. Very soon thereafter, cells infiltrate the open areas of the sling 2 and tissue growth begins. The tissue on both sides of the sling 2 cross communicates such that tissue from both the anterior vaginal wall 200 and urethra 210 grows into the open areas on the sling 2 that they surround. This scar tissue growth provides support to the portions of the mid-urethra and the distal urethra adjacent to the open areas. This tissue growth also secures the sling 2 at the site of implantation, thus improving urethra closing pressure and patient continence.

[0120] Within a few weeks of implantation, the area where the slits 10A are on sling 2 made of mammalian tissue material will be absorbed into the portion of the patient's body adjacent to the slits 10A. The time period required for the entire sling 2 made from mammalian tissue material to be absorbed by the patient's body may be reduced in proportion to the open surface area on the sling 2. Thus, where slits 10A provide the implanted sling 2 with fifty percent open surface area, then the time period for the sling 2 to be absorbed into the patient's body may be reduced to between about three and twelve months compared to the minimum six months for mammalian tissue material lacking any cuts. The sling 2 embodied FIG. 4 may be absorbed by the patient's body within a period of between about five and about twelve months.

[0121] In some embodiments, where the condition being treated is ISD, the sling may be implanted to support the distal bladder neck, the sphincter muscle, and the urethra in order to improve improper coaption of the urethral sphincter. FIG. 10 is a sagittal section of a female pelvis illustrating the location of the sling relative to the bladderneck, sphincter (not shown), and the urethra and anchored to the pubic bone 230. The sling 2 is implanted to treat ISD. The sling 2 of FIG. 10 may be implanted via the transvaginal procedure shown in FIG. 8A. In the treatment of ISD the sling applies direct pressure to the urethra.

[0122] The sling of FIG. 10 is similar to the sling 2 described above and shown in FIG. 3, where the sling 2 is disposed with apertures 10B. Generally, the implanted distance 150 of the sling 2 disposed with apertures 10B will reduce by between about zero and about fifty percent. The percentage by which the distance 150 reduces upon exposure to surgical tensioning force will depend on the number of apertures 10B and the type of sheet 6, whether from mammalian tissue, synthetic material, or a combination of mammalian tissue and synthetic material. The size of the apertures 10B and their placement on the sheet 6 will also impact the percentage by which the distance 150 may reduce. When, for example, the apertures 10B are formed along the grain of an oriented mammalian tissue or along the high tensile strength direction of a synthetic material, the distance 150 may be reduced by a lower percentage then if an omnidirectional tissue material or a synthetic with equivalent tensile strength at all directions were employed.

[0123] In one embodiment the sling 2 depicted in FIG. 3 the sling 2 is made of, for example, omnidirectional mammalian tissue material with apertures 10B disposed therethrough. The unimplanted distance 150 of sling 2 is about 2 cm. During implantation, the sling 2 is exposed to substantially longitudinal tensioning force. When implanted, as shown in FIG. 10, the sling 2 will have a distance 150 of about 1.2 cm, thereby maintaining a substantially constant distance upon exposure to substantially longitudinal tensioning force applied to the sheet 6 during the medical application.

[0124] The distance 150 of the sling 2 made of omnidirectional mammalian tissue sheet 6 depicted in FIGS. 10 and 3 may be reduced by a higher percentage than the sling 2 depicted in FIGS. 9A-9C and 4 made of a sheet 6 of the same material. The distance 150 of sling 2, shown in FIG. 3, may be reduced by a higher percentage because the apertures 10B create a greater open surface area. The apertures 10B may result in more stretching of sheet 6 in the longitudinal direction reducing the distance 150 more then the open surface area of the slits 10A, shown in FIG. 4.

[0125] The apertures 10B are disposed about the line 42 on sling 2. The line 42 is visually aligned with the patient's bladderneck, sphincter muscle, and urethra. In one embodiment, the midpoint of the perpendicular axis 38 distance 150 is located adjacent to the urethral sphincter muscle, the first side 18 is adjacent to the distal bladderneck, and the second side 28 is adjacent to the urethra. In one embodiment, the sheet 6 of sling 2 evenly distributes pressure on the patient's bladderneck, sphincter muscle, and urethra. In another embodiment, the sheet 6 evenly distributes pressure on the sphincter muscle alone without applying pressure to the bladderneck and urethra.

[0126] Upon implantation, some or all of the apertures 10B maintain an open surface area. Very soon after implantation, tissue begins to grow into the open areas on the sling 2. The tissue on both sides of the sling 2 cross communicates, whereby the tissues from the anterior vaginal wall 200 and urethra 210 and bladderneck grow into the open areas. This tissue growth provides support to urethral sphincter muscle, urethra, and bladderneck adjacent to the open areas. This tissue ingrowth also secures the sling 2 at the site of implantation. The tissue ingrowth will improve coaption of the urethral sphincter, which will improve patient continence.

[0127] In an embodiment where the sling 2 is made of mammalian tissue, the area where the apertures 10B provide open areas on the sling 2 will be locally absorbed into the body of the patient, into the urethral sphincter muscle, urethra, and bladderneck, within a few weeks after implantation. The time period required for the sling 2 to be absorbed by the patient's body may be reduced in proportion to the open surface area on the sling 2 provided by the apertures 10B disposed through the sling 2. Thus, if fifty percent of the sling 2 provides open surface area when implanted inside the patient's body the time period to absorb may be reduced to between about three months and about twelve months. The sling 2 shown in FIG. 3 that is made from mammalian tissue sheet 6 may be absorbed by the patient's body within a period of between about four and about twelve months.

[0128] In the combination transvaginal and transabdominal method, the sling is introduced transvaginally, through insertion into pocket through the upper vaginal wall, as described above. Either before or after creating the pocket, an anchor is introduced into the pubic bone 230 for fixation of suspensory sutures, with or without predrilling a hole in the pubic bone. For instance, the anchor is introduced using an anchor implantation device of a type such as that illustrated in FIGS. 15-19 of U.S. Pat. No, 5,766,221, entitled “Bone Anchor Implantation Device”, issued Jun. 16, 1998, which is incorporated herein by reference. Anchor sites are located by placing the anchor implantation device on the body over the area of the pubic bone after visualization or digital palpation over the bone. The surgeon then extends the bone probes distally until both probes have made contact with the pubic bone. One or more anchors are implanted into the tubercle portions of the pubic bone at each side of the urethra. The anchor preferably has a suture secured thereto prior to implantation of the anchor into the pubic bone so that a first suture end and a second suture end extend from the implanted anchor after removal of the anchor driver.

[0129] The surgeon selects the sling 2. The above described sling 2 comprises sheet 6 disposed with cuts 10 substantially along at least a portion of the perpendicular axis 38. In some embodiments, the sling 2 has a line 42 disposed substantially along at least a portion of the perpendicular axis 38.

[0130] An incision is made in the anterior vaginal wall and a pocket is formed as described above. A suture passer is introduced inside the patient's body through the opening in the vaginal wall. Thereafter, the surgeon attaches the sutures to the sling 2. In alternative embodiments, the sutures are pre-attached to the sling 2 of the invention. This step is unnecessary in embodiments were a suture is pre-attached to the sling 2 of the invention, as in FIG. 5, and in sutureless embodiments. After securing the sutures to the sling, the first end of the suture is captured by the suture passer and passed through the body.

[0131] In one embodiment, the one or more of the sutures can be laterally attached to anatomical support structures other than the pubic bone, for example, the ileal pectineal ligament (termed Cooper's ligament), the arcus tendinous fascia pelvis, or the pubococcygenous muscle complex. In one particular embodiment, the first end portion 14 of the sling 2 is secured to the pubic bone and the second end portion 24 is attached to the arcus tendinous fascia pelvis (termed the White Line).

[0132] In order to minimize postoperative urinary blockage caused by excessive tension, suture tension is regulated by tying the first and second ends of the sutures across a suture tensioner of a type, for example, illustrated in and described with respect to FIGS. 46-49 of U.S. Pat. No. 5,611,515 entitled “Bladderneck Suspension Procedure”, issued Mar. 19, 1997, and the U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/184,468 entitled “Transvaginal Suture Spacer Devices and Methods of Use”, filed Nov. 2, 1998 (both of which are incorporated herein by reference). The suture tensioner is thereafter removed and the position of the sling 2 is reconfirmed prior to closing the vaginal and suprapubic wounds. Transabdominal surgical methods may also be employed to implant the sling 2 in accordance with the invention.

[0133] The slings disclosed herein are designed to be secured to any suitable support structure of a patient's body. Examples of such structures include but are not limited to the bones, ligaments, fascia and appropriate muscle structures proximate to the site of attachment. For example, sutures may be used to attach the sling 2 to the Cooper's ligament or the rectus fascia without using a bone anchor.

[0134] Variations, modifications, and other implementations of what is described herein will occur to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited by the preceding illustrative description. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A sling for use in a medical application, comprising a sheet including a first end portion and a second end portion, the second end portion disposed opposite and away from the first end portion along a first axis, the sheet also including a first side and a second side, the second side disposed opposite and away from the first side by a distance and along a second axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first axis and that intersects the first axis at substantially the midpoint of the first axis, the sheet further including one or more cuts disposed substantially along at least a portion of the second axis.
 2. The sling of claim 1 wherein each of the cuts comprises a slit through the sheet.
 3. The sling of claim 2 wherein at least some of the slits open upon exposure to the tensioning force applied during the medical application.
 4. The sling of claim 1 wherein each of the cuts comprises an aperture.
 5. The sling of claim 4 wherein at least some of the apertures remain open upon exposure to the tensioning force applied during the medical application.
 6. The sling of claim 1 wherein the cuts are disposed substantially along the second axis.
 7. The sling of claim 6 wherein the cuts are disposed equidistant from one another substantially along the second axis.
 8. The sling of claim 1 wherein the cuts permit tissue crosslinking and ingrowth therein when the sling is implanted inside the body of a patient.
 9. The sling of claim 1 further comprising a line disposed substantially along at least a portion of the second axis as a visual indicator.
 10. The sling of claim 9 wherein the line comprises a surgical ink applied to the sheet.
 11. The sling of claim 1 wherein the material to form the sheet comprises an omnidirectional material.
 12. The sling of claim 1 wherein the material to form the sheet comprises an oriented material.
 13. The sling of claim 12 wherein the cuts are formed through and along the grain of the oriented material.
 14. The sling of claim 1 wherein the material to form the sheet comprises a high tensile strength direction.
 15. The sling of claim 14 wherein the cuts are formed through and along the high tensile strength direction.
 16. The sling of claim 1 wherein the material to form the sheet comprises mammalian tissue.
 17. The sling of claim 1 wherein the mammalian tissue material is selected from the group consisting of bovine, porcine, ovine, equine, human cadaveric and tissue-engineered tissues.
 18. The sling of claim 1 wherein the material to form the sheet comprises synthetic material.
 19. The sling of claim 1 the material is selected from the group consisting of nylon polyethylene, polyester, polypropylene, fluoropolymers, and co-polymers thereof.
 20. The sling of claim 1 wherein one or more fasteners are disposed at each of the first and second end portions of the sheet.
 21. The sling of claim 1 wherein one or more eyelets are disposed at each of the first and second end portions of the sheet.
 22. The sling of claim 1 wherein the sheet comprises a substantially rectangular shape.
 23. The sling of claim 1 wherein each of the first and second end portions comprises one or more elongated members extending substantially from a central portion of the sheet that includes the intersection of the axes.
 24. A method of making a sling, comprising: providing a sheet in a shape suitable for a medical application, the sheet including a first end portion and a second end portion, the second end portion disposed opposite and away from the first end portion along a first axis, the sheet also including a first side and a second side, the second side disposed opposite and away from the first side by a distance and along a second axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first axis, and that intersects the first axis at substantially the midpoint of the first axis; and forming one or more cuts in the sheet and substantially along at least a portion of the second axis such that the distance remains substantially constant upon exposure to tensioning force applied to the sheet substantially along the first axis during the medical application.
 25. The method of claim 24 further comprising forming a line substantially along at least a portion of the second axis of the sheet.
 26. The method of claim 24 further comprising disposing one or more fasteners at the first end portion of the sheet.
 27. The method of claim 24 further comprising disposing one or more eyelets at the first end portion of the sheet.
 28. The method of claim 24 further comprising sterilizing the sling.
 29. The method of claim 24 further comprising packaging the sling in a sterile holder.
 30. The method of claim 29 further comprising packaging the sling under conditions that are dry and protected from ultra-violet light.
 31. A method of treating a damaged portion of a patient's body, comprising: providing a sling comprising a sheet including a first end portion and a second end portion, the second end portion disposed opposite and away from the first end portion along a first axis, the sheet also including a first side and a second side, the second side disposed opposite and away from the first side by a distance and along a second axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first axis and that intersects the first axis at substantially the midpoint of the first axis, the sheet further including one or more cuts disposed substantially along at least a portion of the second axis; securing the first end portion of the sheet to a first anatomical structure in the body of the patient; applying tensioning force substantially along the first axis of the sheet; securing the second end portion of the sheet to a second anatomical structure in the body of the patient, and supporting a damaged portion of the patient's body with the secured sheet.
 32. The method of claim 31 further comprising centering the sling at the damaged portion of a patient's body using a line disposed substantially along at least a portion of the second axis as a visual indicator.
 33. The method of claim 32 wherein the one or more cuts disposed on the sheet are aligned with the damaged portion of the patient's body using the line.
 34. The method of claim 31 wherein at least some of the cuts open when supporting the damaged portion of the patient's body.
 35. The method of claim 31 wherein at least some of the cuts remain open when supporting the damaged portion of the patient's body.
 36. The method of claim 31 wherein at least some of the cuts permit tissue crosslinking and ingrowth therein once secured inside the body of a patient.
 37. The method of claim 31 wherein the one or more cuts disposed on the sheet contacts the underside of the sphincter muscle, the first side contacts the under portion of the distal bladder neck and second side contacts the under portion of the urethra.
 38. The method of claim 31 wherein the cuts formed at the center of the sling are placed substantially adjacent the mid urethra.
 39. The method of claim 31 further comprising securing the first end portion to an anatomical structure with a surgical fastener.
 40. The method of claim 39 wherein the surgical fastener comprises a suture.
 41. The method of claim 31 wherein the first or the second anatomical structure includes bone.
 42. The method of claim 31 wherein the first or the second anatomical structure includes fascia.
 43. The method of claim 31 wherein the first or the second anatomical structure includes ligament.
 44. The method of claim 31 wherein the first or the second anatomical structure includes muscle.
 45. The method of claim 31 wherein the sling distributes pressure substantially uniformly on a damaged portion of a patient's body.
 46. The method of claim 45, wherein the sling distributes pressure substantially uniformly on a patient's urethra.
 47. The method of claim 45, wherein the sling distributes pressure substantially uniformly on a patient's sphincter muscle.
 48. The method of claim 31, wherein the sling is absorbed by the patient's body after implantation therein. 